A. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage the growth of all segments of its agricultural industry. The General Assembly finds that the livestock industry has a significant impact on the Commonwealth’s economy and that it is to the Commonwealth’s benefit to encourage, expand, and develop slaughter and meat-processing facilities with strategic planning and programs that provide financial incentives and technical assistance to encourage and supplement private capital. The General Assembly finds that it is to the Commonwealth’s benefit to maintain a state meat inspection program in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
B. The Department shall establish a strategic plan to increase the combined throughput capacity of inspected slaughter and meat-processing facilities in the Commonwealth and provide recommendations to the General Assembly as to how to implement the strategic plan.
C. To the extent that public or private funds become available, the Department may establish a program of financial incentives and technical assistance designed to encourage, expand, and develop slaughter and meat-processing facilities in the Commonwealth.